For me, yesterday was a most reinvigorating day, intellectually speaking. I have not been thrown in to the academic grind yet, nor did I think I was ready for it. But hearing from 3 marvelous speakers, who spoke about varied subjects from Islamic movements in the Middle East to the question about Iran, got my mind ready to delve in the political, sociological, and cultural questions I have so long waited to ask. Considering the transitional, almost-chaotic situation over here right now, it is hard to believe I will find answers. In fact, it will most likely be in the continual inquiring about situations such as the Palestinian / Israeli conflict, the war in Iraq, and the nuclear issue with Iran that I will simply realize the feebleness of my own preconceived notions about what could possibly bring about the peace and stability that is so desperately needed in the Middle East.
Two of the speakers were from a political strategic think tank in Cairo that specializes in country, regional, and international issues. Because it is best to keep anonymity them due to political sensitives, I will say that "Speaker 1" did an excellent job of delivering an excellent overview of the overall situation of the Middle East... all in 90 minutes. This is a very hard thing to do, you see. He spoke at length to the specific fears Egypt holds as a result of the continuing change in balance of power, as a result of the ongoing war. The three top causes of the tension in the Middle East, in his opinion, is 1) the continuing struggle and battle against extremism and terroism, 2) nuclear proliferation with Iran's nuclear program, and 3) national conflict and tension (i.e., the Shi'a-Sunni divide). Iran, according to Speaker 1, is a state that has tremendous potential to assert a greater amount of power throughout the Middle East, much farther than the states it has already infiltrated, namely Syria and Iran.
Here in Egypt, I have the general sense that Iran is a real and serious threat. The proliferation of the nukes is only worrisome in as much as it provides regional leverage. It also shows because Egypt is a solid Sunni state, while Iran continues to throw around its Shi'a weight. But that's just my opinion...
Speaker 2 talked about Islamic movements. The absolute diversity and range of extremism between the groups was something I never cared to consider. Like any range of groups, Islamic movements range on a continuum from peaceful to terroristic. The recent Islamist movement in secular Turkey can be seen as a tremendous outgrowth of the democratic process. It is a largely peaceful and civil movement. We all know who's on the other end of the spectrum, of course! The big question relating to these movements in the region seems to focus on the viability and coexistence of a healthy and open democracy along with a decidedly Islamic bend. Of course, this seems to be the million dollar question. I realize it to be a very naive and open-ended question for now.
I'm sorry to get on a soapbox for this post. I try to keep that to a minimum!
Till later,
Salaam (peace)
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2 comments:
Tony,
Glad to see that you are enjoying Egypt. Your travels sound exciting.
Ah, your posts are turning political. I find your posts most interesting, but I must comment on your recent post where you seemed surprised that people would "show such accomodation and charm to a people that represent a country responsible for causing such disturbance in the Middle East". I'm assuming you meant 'you', and thus the United States.
While the Middle East has been in one "disturbance" after another for thousands of years, the entire history of the United States is but a mere 231 years.
Hold your head high. You are from a great nation that is working to bring peace and democracy to an area of the world that seems only to know violence and repression.
Keep writing.
Dave
Hello Again,
It seems you are graplling with "world peace" type of political questions and are providing good observations along those lines. From my perpective, I'd like to know what the status is of "skilled" [trades] and "unskilled" workers [trashmen, janitors,etc.]. I couldn't help but notice the trash-in-the-alley photo.
Pops
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